“Saml. Culper.”
Following this came an order from Headquarters practically discharging the Culpers. It reads:
“Head Quarters, Morris Town, 19th May, 1780.
“Dear Sir: Your favr. of the 8th reached me a few days ago. As C. junior has totally declined and C. Senior seems to wish to do it, I think the intercourse may be dropped, more especially as from our present position the intelligence is so long getting to hand that it is of no use by the time it reaches me. I would however have you take an opportunity of informing the elder C. that we may have occasion for his services again in the course of the Summer, and that I shall be glad to employ him if it should become necessary and he is willing.
“I am endeavoring to open a communication with New York across Staten Island, but who are the agents in the City, I do not know. I am &c.
“Go. Washington.”
Woodhull was not pleased with General Washington’s letter, as his next to Major Tallmadge indicates:
“June 10, 1780.
“Sir. Yours of the 5th inst, together with 711, was handed me yesterday, and have observed the contents.—The letter, agreeable to your directions, returned to the bearer. I am happy to find that 711 is about to establish a more advantageous channel of intelligence than heretofore. I perceive that the former he intimates hath been but of little service. Sorry we have been at so much cost and trouble for little or no purpose. He also mentions of my backwardness to serve. He certainly hath been misinformed. You are sensible I have been indefaticable, and have done it from a principal of duty rather than from any mercenary end—and as hinted heretofore, if at any time theres need you may rely on my faithful endeavours. I perceive there’s no mention made of any money to discharge the remaining debts, which hath increased since I saw you, owing to your direction to continue the correspondence regular until I received your answer from 711. You speak with some assurance that the French is hourly expected to our assistance—hope they may not fail us—and that we may soon retrieve the sad misfortune of our Southern Garrison, which doleful fate the papers enclosed doth too fully relate, to which I must you refer. The enemy last Tuesday night, with all the force they could muster, landed in the Jerseys, in order to surprise G. W. and had not returned on Friday night. It is thought much blood hath been spilt. A great number of wounded men hath been sent in together with General Sterling who had his thigh broke. No particulars had transpired on Friday night, but our friends are in hopes they will be defeated. Ther’s a grand movement on foot in N.York. The troops are called from Lloyd’s Neck and is said from every other distant post, and an embargo laid on all ships and small Sloops. It is suspected they are a going to quit N.York, or are going to make some diversion up the river, or are afraid of the French. But I cannot but think the former is likely to take place. For I believe their whole design is to the Southward. Thus sir, what I have written is from such authority as you have heretofore depended on, and from such as I call the best—and is all worthy of notice at this time. Hoping it may duly come to hand, and find you in health and prosperity is the earnest desire of your ever affectionate Friend and Huml. Servt.
“Samuel Culper.”